Pretty in Pink (1986)

One of the 80's classic bests ...

Just a perfect film all around for those of us who were of age on the 80's. September 15, 2008

5 stars for item; 2 for more corporate scuminess

We saw this on the shelf at a Target a few weeks back. Save your money if you already have the collector's edition; this is just the old edition w/a CD of '80s music. July 22, 2008

Molly's best John Hughes film.

"Pretty in Pink" is one of my very favorite movies. John Hughes did a brilliant job with this film! He put Molly Ringwald with a brilliant cast that was amazing and he touched on the touchy subject of social class in High School very well.

(May Contain Spoilers)

Andie Walsh, (Molly Ringwald) lives with her unemployed father (Harry Dean Stanton) in the wrong side of town. Andie is a very headstrong girl who isn't very well liked with any of her peers exept her friend Jenna and Duckie Dale, (Jon Cryer) the boy next door that would do anything for her. She and Duckie are often made fun of by the popular kids, especially Steff, (James Spader). But one popular guy Blaine, (Andrew McCarthey) has been secretly lusting after Andie.

Andie works at Trax, a new wave music store with her older on the outside friend Iona, (Annie Potts) who advises Andie to go to her prom despite not having a date to enjoy it with. Blaine then comes in to buy an album and they talk briefly. In the computer lab next day at school, Andie realizes that she is falling for Blaine and vice versa. Blaine then breaks the social barrier to ask Andie out on a date, much to his buddy Steff's dismay. Andie's buddy Duckie doesn't approve either. Unfortunately, Andie and Blaine have to deal with the wrath of the student body for their relationship. Prom is coming up and the peer pressure suddenly gets to Blaine, leaving Andie dateless. Blaine decides to ignore all of his peers and goes back to Andie on prom night and after a little covincing from Duckie, Andie goes back to Blaine.

Molly Ringwald has great acting skills and it really shows in this movie. Jon Cryer really puts on a great performance as Duckie and Andrew McCarthy, Annie Potts, James Spader and Harry Dean Stanton do a fantastic job in their roles. The superb acting makes this movie a must see.


The "Everything's Duckie Edition" includes new interviews with the cast, a featurette about Molly and her work with John Hughes in the 80s, a featurette about the cast's prom stories and great archive footage from the making of the movie in 1985. The biggest flaw with this DVD is that the orignial ending where Andie and Duckie end up as a couple is not included. Instead, there is an interview on why the ending was cut. Other than that, Pretty in Pink fans should get this DVD. This great 80s film should not be missed!


Taylor Hodgkins, 6/24/08 June 24, 2008

Pretty in Pink

Can't even watch it as it was made in Mexico it doesn't work in any DVD players. Would have been great if i've was told that before i bought it. May 15, 2008

Goofy Plot, but Strong Cast & Characters Make This Teen Flick Memorable.

I didn't see "Pretty and Pink" in the 1980s, but the film's enduring popularity motivated me to take a look 22 years hence. "Pretty in Pink" is part of John Hughes' oeuvre of '80s teen flicks, even though Hughes did not direct the film. Hughes wrote and produced; Howard Deutch makes his feature film debut directing. As was common with John Hughes films, the plot is simple and silly. The substance is supposed to be in the behavior. Unlike his other films, I think that Hughes achieved more with casting in "Pretty and Pink" than with dialogue or behavior, which accounts for its staying power. The film is a showcase of early work for a lot of big names.

The plot is lifted straight out of Cinderella. Andie (Molly Ringwald) is a barely working class high school senior with a terminally unemployed father (Harry Dean Stanton). She's responsible, ambitious, and doesn't let poverty stand between herself and a trendy wardrobe. She sews her own over-the-top '80s fashions. Andie's greatest wish is that dreamy rich boy Blane (Andrew McCarthy) will invite her to the prom, but the only rich boy who has paid her attention so far is Blane's rakish friend Steff (James Spader). Andie's eccentric friend since childhood, Duckie (Jon Cryer), pines after her, but seems destined to friend status.

"Pretty and Pink" doesn't resonate the way that many of John Hughes' teen movies did. I grew up poor and attended a rich high school, like Andie, but the way the characters interact in this movie doesn't ring true to me. It's a fairy tale. It's not a situation that people can relate to. The film's strength is its cast. Individually, the characters are appealing and interesting: Blane, the nice, handsome preppy. Steff, the licentious, handsome jerk. Annie Potts has a great role as Iona, Andie's colorful friend and employer. If the audience sympathizes with anyone, it is probably with Duckie, played to the hilt by Jon Cryer.

Molly Ringwald was well-suited to most of her teen roles, but I'm not enthusiastic about her in this part. Ironically, the film was written for Ringwald, but somehow I just do not buy it. Andie seems contrived, and her emotions fall flat for me. It's also disappointing to see teens played by older actors. Molly Ringwald was the only real teenager. James Spader must have been about 25. But this is a memorable cast, nonetheless. Andrew Dice Clay has a cameo, and you can catch Gina Gershon, Dweezil Zappa, and Kristy Swanson in non-speaking roles. Cinematography is by the talented Tak Fujimoto. "Pretty in Pink" is fun, but you'll be thinking about the iconic characters and ignoring everything else.

The DVD (Paramount 2006): The "Everything's Duckie Edition" is loaded with 8 featurettes, a Photo Gallery, and a feature commentary. Most of the featurettes include "then and now" interviews, taking footage from interviews with cast and crew in 1985 and in 2006. John Hughes is the only one not featured in any contemporary interviews. "The First Time: The Making of Pretty in Pink" (13 min) interviews director Howard Deutch, John Hughes, producer Lauren Shuler, and the cast about making the movie, the music, novice directorial mistakes, and the photography. "Zoids and Richies" (19 min) interviews cast and crew about characters and includes interesting stuff about casting. "Prom Queen: All About Molly" (13 min) interviews Molly Ringwald et al about the character of Andie, her situation, her crush, etc.

"Volcanic Ensembles" (9 min) interviews costume designer Marilyn Vance and actors about the wardrobes. In "Prom Stories" (3 min), some cast and crew talk about their proms. "Favorite Scenes" (20 min) replays 8 memorable scenes from the movie followed by comments from the cast. "The Lost Dance: The Original Ending" (12 min) is about how and why the film's ending was changed. In "Wrap Up: Epilogue" (7 min), cast and crew comment on the film's enduring popularity. The commentary by director Howard Deutch is not constant but discusses the characters, interacting with the actors, John Hughes' role, themes, staging, editing, production design, and some other technical details. Subtitles are available in English for the film. Dubbing available in French. May 8, 2008

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